Gathering machine



Jan. 5 1926.

C. A. RICHARDS GATHERING `MACHINE heets-Sheeb l llrlsrI iva SN. Q@ NSN. ON. Q

C. A. RICHARDS GATHERING MACHINE Jan. 5 1926.

Jan. 5 1926. 1,568,293

C. A. RICHARDS GATHERING MACHINE Filed August 22, 1921 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 5, 192e. A 1,568,293

` C. A. RICHARDS u GATHERING vMACIXINE F11ed 4August 22, 1921 7 sheets-sheet s Mggggfgggq' C. A. "RICHARDS Y GTHERING MACHINE Filed August 22. 1921 Jan. 5 1926.l

Jan. 5 1926. 1,568,293

` c. A. RICHARDS y GATHERING MACHINE Filed August 22, 1921v '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Patented Jan. 5, v1926.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. RICHARDS, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GATHERING MACHINE.

Application led August 22, 1921. Serial No. 494,065.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing-at 4Chicago, in the county of Cook and State 5 of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gathering Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gathering machines.

It will be explained as applied to a machine for piling or stacking a plurality o f sheets of materia-l in a predetermined Sequence.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved gathering machine.

Another object is to provide a machine which is simple and reliable.

Another object is to provide a machine which collects and maintains the Sheets in a neat pile or stack. n Another object is to provide a machine wherein the number of sequentially arranged sheetsmay be few or many.

.Another object is to provide a machine wherein the liability of duplicating or misplacing sheets is reduced.

Another object is to provide for the accurate withdrawal of sheets, one at a time, from a storing hopper, by simple readily adjustable means, dispensing with' the complicated and expensive pneumatic apparatus now commonly employed.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

F Fig 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7 is a Section on the line 7--7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan of one of the sheet holding hop ers.

Fig. 9 is an en arged section on the line 55 9 9-of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is anenlarged end elevation of the delivery mechanism,clutch and brake at the bottom' of each hopper.

Fig. 11 is a Section on the line 11-11 of 60 Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged section VAofv the clutch regulating the deliveryl of sheets.

Fig. 13 is a section on the line 13-13 of Fig.' 9. l

Fig. 14 is an enlarged end elevation oi the lower end of a hopper partly in section.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged broken plan of one of the reciprocating Sheet aligners of the Stacker.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged broken side elevation thereof.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged plan of a part of the hopper delivery plate, and

^ Fig. 18 is a Section on the line 18-18 of 75 Fig. 17.

The gathering machine comprises, in lgeneral a plurality of hoppers A for holding the sheets of material and delivering the same one by one, a conveyor B for trans- 80 porting ythe sheets from the hopper, and a Stacker C to which the VSheets are fed by the conveyor and wherein they are arranged and maintained in a neat pile or Stack.

Hoppers. l

work is to be composed are placed in the respective hoppers from which they are withdrawn, one at a time.

Each hopper has a substantially rectangular metal framework 1 (See particularly' Figs. 8 and 9 for details) comprising a bar or strip bent into substantially U shape \has a cross bar or brace 6, whose ends are bent over and perforated to receive pivots 3. Near opposite sides, the hopper has side boards 7 which may be made of suitable pieces of angle iron, one side of which serves to align the sheets and the other side or bottom to assist in support-ing the sheets. The sheets are further supported by slats 8. The side boards and slats may be adjustably secured to braces 5 and 6 by any suitable means such as bolt or screw clamps 9. These clamps allow transverse adjustment of the side boards and slats for different sized sheet-s. The outer end of'the hopper is supported and held at the desired angle of inclination by an adjustable leg 10 on each side thereof.

A curved delivery plate 11 (see particularly Figs. 17 and 18 for details) is secured, at opposite ends, to the respective brackets 4 by similar adjustable suspensions. This plate may be made of suitable material such as iron or steel. Each suspension has a post` 12, which passes through and is secured to bracket 4 by a nut 13. The end of post 12 carries a knob 14 through which a post 15 slidably passes. A set screw 16 serves to lock post 15 in any desired position. Post 15 has a knob 17 which is provided with a hole therethrough for receiving a spindle 18. A set screw 19 serves to lock spindle 18 in any desired angular or axial position. The two spindles 18 are secured to the underside of delivery plate 11 at opposite ends thereof by suitable means such as screws 20.

Thus the angular, longitudinal and transverse position of each delivery plate may be varied to suit various conditions. The weight, thickness, surface and. other peculiarities of the sheets govern the inclination of the hoppers and the relative position of the delivery plates. A little practice and experimentation will enable an operator to readily make the necessary adjustments to best handle the sheets of aparticular piece of work.

delivers the sheetsin from the hoppers to the The conveyor sequential order stacker. v

The conveyor has a substantially reta-ngular metal table, composed primarily of a pair of side frames 25.`and 26 and cross braces 27. The table is supported on legs 28.

The forward e'nds of side frames 25 and 26 are provided with extension pla-tes 29 bolted thereto. A pair of shafts 30 and 31 are journaled between extension plates 29 and side frames 25-26, respectively. Shaft 30 has a number of belt pulleys 32 secured thereto in any approved manner. Sha-ft 3l has a similar set of belt pulleys 33 secured thereto. Six pairs of pulleys 32-33 have been found satisfactory. A conveyor belt 34 extends between each pair or set of pulleys 32-33.

Shaft 30 is provided with a driven pulley 35. A belt 36 interconnects pulley 35 and a driving pulley 37. Pulley 37 is secured to a shaft 38 which is journaled in a pair of uprights 39 carried by the conveyor framework. Shaft 38 is the main shaft of the machine and is driven by a source of power through a belt or other suitable mea-ns. A crank 40 is provided whereby driving shaft 38 may be manually turned in the preliminary setting and adjustment and subsequent inspection of the machine.

Belts 34 pass under all of the hoppers and above the stacker and support and carry the sheets in their transfer therebetween.

The tension of the conveyor belts is individually adjustable by means of idler pulleys 41 and 42. Each idler pulley 41 is carried by a bracket 43. Brackets 43 are carried on a shaft extending between and secured to side frames 25 and 26. Brackets 43 are clamped to `shaft 44 in any desired position by set screws 4.5. Pulleys 42 are journaled on shaft 44. The belts pass under idlers 41 and over idlers 42 as clearly shown in Fig. 4 and consequently the tension thereof may be regulated by varying the angular positions of brackets 43.

Brackets 4, which are suitably bolted to side frames 25 and 26, are each provided with an 'inclined slot 50 in which is a movable block 51 rigidly carrying one end of a shaft or bar 52, (see particularly Figs. 13 and 14).` The position of each individual block and consequently the opposite'end of each shaft is adjustable by means of adjusting screws 53.

Shaft 52 has a number of belt pulleys on rollers 54 secured thereto by suitable means, such as set /s'crews, which allow the pulleys to be axially adjusted relative to the shaft but cause the same to rotate therewith.

A second shaft or bar 55, which has its a similar set of pulleys or rollers 56. Belts 57, (seven belts having beenfound to give excellent results) extend between the stationary shafts '52-55 v Above belts 57 a shaft 58 is journaled in arm 59. oArms 59 are provided withadjusting slots 60. A cap screw 61, passing thru slot' 60, serves to adjustably sec-urev the arm to 'bracket 4.

Shaft 58 adjustably carries a roller 62 above and in engagementl with each belt 57. Preferably. pulleys 62 are rubber faced. They may be made by slipping suitable rubber tubing upon a shaft of the required diameter. `An adjusting screw 63, passing through a suitable threaded boss of bracket 4, engages the outer end of arm 59 to facilitate the accurate positioning and adjustment thereof to provide the requisite amount of friction between pulleys 62 andbelts 57. In front of belts 57 are a pair of transversely extending shafts 65 and 66. Shaft 65 is journaled, at opposite ends, in arms 67 whiclrare secured to brackets 4. Shafts 65 and 66 are each provided with a number of engaging rubber faced rollers 69 and 70respectively (two are shown in the machine illustrated).

As will be hereinafter described, shaft 66 is driven from a suitable source of power and drives shaft 58. The rotation of these shafts passes the sheets between rollers 62 and belts 57 and between rollers 69 and 70. The cooperation of the rubber rollers, belts and delivery plate for each hopper causes the sheets to be withdrawn therefrom one at a time and deposited on the conveyor belt below.

The front or delivery end of the conveyor is provided with a number of defiectors for assisting in the directing of the sheets into the stacker. v

Av rod7 5 extends between and is secured .to side frames 25 and26. (See particularly Figs. 3 and 4.) Straddling shaft 75 are a pair of stirrups 76. Stirrups 76 are adjustably mounted on shaft and may be rigidly secured thereto in any position by set screws 77. Each stirrup 76 carries a flexible deflec-ting finger 78 which is provided with a curve or crook 79 at its forward end.

A bar 80 lextends between and is secured to side frame extensionsl 29. Slidably mounted on bar 80 are four adjust-able posts 81. Each post 8l is notched to receive and slide along bar 80 vand is clamped -thereto hy a set screw 8.2.v Each post 81 carries a rod 83, which is curved upwardly a't its rear end and downwardly-at its forward end. Two of the rods 83 carry brackets 84 which are perforated to receive the same and are clamped thereto in any adjusted position by set screws 85. Each bracket 84 carries a.

roller 86 whichk cooperates with the respective roller 32 fherebeneath.

The sheets are conveyed toward the stacker by belts 34. As they reach the end of the conveyor they pass between rollers 32 and 86 and `between fingers 78 and rods 83. The sheets are thereby deflectedc downwardlyv toward the stacker and the opposite lateral sides thereof are bent upwardly while 'the center is depressed. This distortion or slight curving of the sheet assists in the proper flight thereof when it drops from the conveyor to the stacker.

Stacker.

The stacker receives the sheets from the conveyor and aligns and holds the same 1n a lneat pile or stack.

Framework 90 is supported on suitable cable 94 passes over each pulley 93 and has one end secured to the respective corner of a movable platform 95. The other ends of cables 94 are secured to and passed in pairs around winding drums 96. Drums 96 are secured to a shaft 97 whose opposite ends are journaled in brackets 98 and 99 carrie-d f by the stacker frame.

The sheets are sequentially deposited on platform 95, which, as will be hereinafter described, is automatically lowered as 'the pile or stack of sheets builds up. Thus the top of the stack is automatically maintained a't a substantially constant and properlevel.

The sheets are aligned on the table by a set of reciprocating aligners or guides 100.

Four aligners, one for each edge of a rectan-l gular sheet, are shown in the machine chosen for illustration.

Each guide or aligner lcomprises a substantially rectangular piece of board carried on the end of a plunger 101. The plunger i and guide are adjustably secured together by a socketed back plate 102 and set screw 103 (see particularly Figs. 5, 15 and 16).,

The plunger is slidably carried in bearings in a bracket 104 which is clampedto the respective side frame 90 by a set screw 105.

The aligners or guides reciprocate synchronously or in unison toward and from the center of the platform as will be herein; after described. 'This simultaneous reciprocatory movement causes the guides to agi tate .or strike a sheet or sheets displaced from 'the pile in any direction and thus 1nsuresthe formation a'nd maintenance of a neat stack or pile.

Operating and timing mechanism.

The operations of the mechanism for withdrawing the sheets from the hoppers, for transferring the sheets to the stacker, for aligning the sheets on the stacker platform and for depressing the platform as the pile or stack builds up are coordinated so that 'the piling of the sequentially arranged' sheets takes place continuously and automatically.

As previously explained, the power applied to main drive shaft 38, causes the continuous travel of conveyor belts 34.

Main shaft- 38 has acworm 110 thereon (see Fig. 2). form 110 engages a vgear wheel 111 which in turn engages a worm 112. Worm 112 is keyed to a shaft 113 which is journaled in bearings 114 and extends along parallel to and just outside of side frame 25.

Adjacent each hopper, shaft 113 is provided with a worm 115. Each worm 115 engages a pinion gear 116 on its respective shaft 66. Consequently the rotation of main shaft 38 causes the rotation of all of the shafts 66 and the rollers 70 thereon.

A gear wheel 117 is keyed to the Opposite end of each shaft 66. Each gear wheel 117 engages a gear wheel 118 which is adapted to be attached to shaft 58 of the corresponding hopper as will be hereinafter described.

Thus the rotation of main shaft 38 may also rotate all of the shafts 58 and the rollers 62 thereon.

Shafts.. 58 are rotated intermittently to cause the proper withdrawal of the sheets from the hoppers although ,Shaft 38 drives their gear wheels 118 continuously.

Each shaft 58 is provided with a clutch (see particularly Figs. 10, 11 and 12 for details) which is operated at the proper time to connect the corresponding shaft with its continuously rotating gear wheel 118. Each gear wheel has one of its faces countersunk to provide an annular cup shaped depression 119 therein. Gear wheel 118 is carried on a short stud 120 to 'which it is rigidly keyed by a pin 121. Stud 120 is socketed in the end of shaft 58 to be axially movable thereof. A coil spring 122 biases stud 120 and its gear wheel 118 outwardly. Facing and adapted to enter depression 119 is a clutch member 123. Clutch member 123 is rigidly keyed to shaft- 58. A suitable friction element, such as a leather disc or washer 124, may be interposed between the clutch surfaces of gearwheel 118 and member 123.

The axial movement of stud 120 carries with it the continuously rotating gear wheel 118 and connects the same to or disconnects the same from shaft 58, depending upon the direction of movement.

The clutches are automatically connected and disconnected and, upon disconnection, brakes are applied to stop instantly the rotation of shafts 58 and the withdrawal of sheets.

Below each gear wheel 118 a post 125 projects from bracket 4. A leverv 126 is pivotally secured to post 125 by a bolt 127. A leaf spring 129 is securedatone end to lever 126. Spring 129 is adapted to engage and press against stud 120 to effect the movement of gear wheel 118 in opposition to biasing spring 122, as hereinbefore described. An adjusting screw 130 serves to regulate the pressure of spring 129 on stud 120.

A cam roller 131 is carried on' the lower end of each lever 126. Rollers 131 are in a position to be operated by cams 132 which are keyed to a shaft 133 adjacent each hopper. Shaft 133 extends along beside side framc'26 and is journaled in brackets 134 carried thereby.

Shaft 133 has a gear wheel 135 secured thereto. Gear wheel 135 engages va worm 136 on shaft 38. Consequently the rotation of main drive shaft 38 causes the intermittent operation of levers 126 and consequently the intermittent and alternate engagement and disengagement of the clutch surfaces of gear wheels 118 and members 123. Cams 132 are carried by adjustable collars on shaft 133 so that the time of the operation of the clutches can be varied as desired.

The upper end of each lever 126 has a push rod 140 secured thereto -by adjusting nuts 141. Each push rod 140 is attached to one arm of a bell crank brake lever 141. Lover 141 is pivotally supported by an extension 142 from bracket 4. The end of the longer arm of lever 141 is provided with a brake shoe 143 which is adapted to fit down upon shaft 58.

When cam 132 of any hopper moves the corresponding lever 126 to engage the clutch for driving shaft 58, the-corresponding push rod 140 tilts its bell crank lever 141 to release brake shoe 143" as shown by the dotted lines of Fig. 11. When the cam moves the lever to disengage the clutchthe brake shoe is applied to shaft 58 and the shaft is immediately stopped.

TheJ main drive shaft also produces the proper timed reciprocation of the stacker guides and the automatic depression of the stacker platform.

Shaft 133 which is continuously driven by shaft 38, as previously described, has a multi-point cam 145 adjustably keyed thereto. A lever 146 pivoted to side frame 26 carries a roller 147 which engages the face of cam 145. (See particularly Figs. 5, 15 and 16.)

The lower end of lever 146 has a connecting rod 148 secured thereto. A spring 149 holds roller 147 against the face of cam 145. The other end of rod 148 .is connected to a 'crank 150. Crank 150 is secured to one of four shafts 151 positioned around the stacker by bevel. gears 153 so together.

frameand iournaled thereto in brackets 152. Shafts 151 are interconnected at their ends that they all operate Below each plunger 101|of guides 100, the 'respective' shafts 151 arev provided with cranks'l54 secured thereto by set 'screws 155.

The upper vend of each crank 154 is Slotted to receive a pi-n156 of a reciprocating crosshead157. Cross-head 157 is secured to its respective plunger 101 b means of a set screw 158. y Cross-head 157 has a hole therethrough for the passage ofa guide rod 159 secured to plunger-bracket 104.

Therotation of shaft 38 rotates cam .145 which, through roller 147, crank 146, connecting rod 148, crank 150, shafts 151, gears 153 and cranks 154, causes the simultaneous y .reciprocation of all of the stacker guides 100. Shaft 133also carries a crank disc' 160 which is provided with a crank 161 (see particularly Figs. 5, 6 and 7). Crank 161 has an adjustable connection with a bell crank lever 162 through a slot 163 and a bolt 164. Lever 162 carries a spring pressed pawl 165. Pawl v165 is adapted to engage the' teeth of a ratchet wheel 166 secured .to

v wheel 169 is a short worin shaft 167 which is journaled in suitable brackets carried by the conveyor frame work. Shaft 167 has a worm 168 which engagps a gear wheel 169. Gear scribed. v

fof pawl-16.5,. The pawl passes inoperatively over the teeth of ratch wheel 166m one direction but enga es the same and rotates theratchet wheel w enmoving 1n the reverse' direction. The rotation of ratchet wheel 166 rotates shaft 97l 'step by vstep and `thereby unwinds cables 94 from their res e'ctivel i drums and allows the platform to escen'd stepbystep Aas vthe ile of sheets builds up. The extent of thev esce'nt of the platform on each step may be varied by the adjust#l ment of the slot and bolt connection" 16a-164. y i

A manually operable crank 170 is ,loosel carried on the end of shaft 97. This crank has a aw1j171 which is adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 172 secured to gearwheel 169. By means of this crank the stacker platform may be elevated for the be 'nning of the formation of a pile of sheets iereon.

Suma/mary of operation. l, The source of power provided continuously drives main shaft 3.8. A

Shaft 38- -through belt 36 continuously drives the conveyor belts 34. The guiding rollers and gear wheels 118 of all the hop- 4persand the common cam shaft 133 are also continuously driven. When the high parts eyed to shaft 97 which carriesv vthe winding drums 96v hereinbefore derotation of shaft 133 .by l

-start rollers 62 and brake shoes 143 are raised from shafts 58. A sheet of material is thereupon withdrawn from the hoppers passing over delivery plates 11, between rollers 62 and belts 57 and between rollers 69 and 7 0 to the conveyor belts 34.

`The position of the cams and the adjust# ment of the clutches may be such that the sheets from the various hoppers are deposited upon the conveyor belts in any desired sequence.y

The high points of cams 132 passing beyond rollers 131 the clutches are release and the brakes are applied to stop feed rollers 62.

The sheets pass along the conveyor and out between rollers l86 and 32 and guides 78 and 83 to the stacker where they fall upon the platform or the top ofthe pile thereon.

The rotation of shaft 133 causes the stacker guides to be reciprocated through the instrumentality of cani 145, lever 146, rod 148, crank 150, shafts 151, andcranks 154.

Shaft 133 also produces the depression of the stacker platform through the agency of disc 160, crank 161, pawl 165, ratchet wheel 166, worm 168, worm wheel 169, shaft 97, pulleys 9,6 and cables 94.

The operation of the stacker guides may be so timed that when the sheets fall upon Immediately thereafter they move inwardly engaging the ed es'of the later deposited or any other slig tly misplaced sheets and align the same in a neat pile on the platform.

' The platformis depressed slowly step by j step accordance with the receipt of the sheets thereon. For thick sheets this movement may be relatively rapid while for thin sheets it will be relatively slower.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:v

1. A gathering machinel having a series of hoppers for holding -stacks of ,sheets of material, a conveyor for transferring sheets lfrom the hoppers, a/platform to which the conveyor delivers the sheets, a reciprocating guide which moves toward the center of the platform upon the receipt of each sheet and moves away between the receipt of sheets whereby the delivered sheets are stacked, mechanism connected to said conveyor for continuously driving the same,'clutch means operable by -said mechanism for intermittently actuating said hoppers to deliver to said conveyor, and continuously driven means connected to said mechanism for actuating said guides.

2. ,A gathering machine having a platform on .'which sheets of material are to be deposited 'and stacked, a movable aligner for aligning the 4sheets depositedon the platform, a series of hoppers for holding the sheets, withdrawing mechanism for removing sheets from the hoppers, a conveyor for transferring sheets from the withdrawing mechanism to the platform, a main drive shaft, and means for causing the drive shaft to actuate the withdrawing mechanism and the aligner, said means comprising a clutch mechanism driven by said drive shaft to intermittently connect the latter to said withdrawing mechanism and cam means continuously driven by said shaft and connected to f said aligner.

In testimony scribe my name.

CHARLES A. RICHARDS.

whereof I hereunto sub- 

